Battle of Aintaba

Imad al-Din Zangi , father of Nur al-Din , captured Edessa in 1144 . Deprived of their capital, the western lands of the county have eked out a miserable existence for more than six years. This time has passed under increasing pressure from the Muslim states surrounding them. In 1150, the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus expressed interest in acquiring the remnants of the county of Edessa . As overlord, Baldwin III was required to defend them in the event of an attack. Recognizing that the Crusaders were able to hold these territories for a long time, Baldwin III agreed to transfer them to the Byzantines.

Baldwin III met with the ambassadors of Manuel I in Turbessel (Tel Bashir) and negotiated the transfer of territories. Franks and Armenians who wanted to remain subjects of the king were allowed to leave for Antioch under the protection of the royal army. The small army of Baldwin III consisted of 500 knights ^[1] and an unknown number of foot soldiers.

The troops of Nur al-Din attacked a column of Christians between Duluk and Aintab . Having deployed the soldiers in battle formation, Baldwin III was able to bring civilians to Aintaba and shelter them in the city until dawn.

The next day, the Franks regrouped to protect refugees and the wagon train. Baldwin III led the vanguard, while the Knights of Antioch defended the right and left flanks. Count Tripoli Raimund II and Honfroix II de Toron led a powerful rearguard. The location of the foot soldiers in the formation is not known - it was not mentioned by William of Tire .

The Turks of Nur al-Din attacked in a traditional manner, surrounding the column and showering it “in such a shower of arrows that the convoy resembled a porcupine” ^[2] . All day, the Turks tried to break the formation of the crusaders or reduce their fighting spirit. But the Franks stubbornly moved forward, maintaining strict discipline and counterattacking when the enemies came too close. Nur al-Din , discouraged by the lack of success and the depletion of his own resources, stopped the persecution at sunset. A column of crusaders brought refugees to Antioch territory without further adversity.

Baldwin III calculated everything correctly. During the year, the rest of the territory of the former Edessa County was captured by the Turks. The king succeeded without serious losses in successfully leading the Edes refugees to Antioch . However, the loss of the county of Edessa was a serious strategic defeat for the crusaders.

• Smail, RC Crusading Warfare 1097-1193. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, (1956) 1995. ISBN 1-56619-769-4 .